Ear-trumpet



(No Model.)

W. G. A. BONWILL.

EAR TRUMPET.

Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

Y NORRIS PETERS co.. mow-um STATES ATEN tries.

EAR-TRU lVl PET.

QPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,865, dated April 26, 1892- Application filed March 10, 1891. Serial No. 384,395. (No model.)

To coZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. A. BON- WILL, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Ear-Trumpets for Deaf Persons, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention has reference to ear-trumpets for deaf persons; and it consists of certain improvements which are fullyset forth in the following specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention comprehends the formation of an ear-trumpet out of the structure of the hat itself, so that the sound-waves may be received by the hat and transmitted to the ear through the tube or passage-way while the hat is upon the head of the wearer.

I am aware that it has been proposed to place an ordinary ear-trumpet in a cap or head-covering, with a tube leading therefrom to the ear and with openings in the body of the hat' communicating with the ear-trumpet. In my invention, however I do not propose to employ an ordinary ear-trumpet, but to so construct the hat itself that the ear-trumpet is formed in the ordinary structure thereof without materially changing or modifying the appearance of the hat.

In carrying out myinvention I form a portion of the interior of the hat structure tapered or inclined to constitute an ear-trumpet and provide the hat with apertures or openings to the large end of the tapered portion, through which the sound-waves are received and transmitted to an opening or orifice at the small end of the tapered portion, the hole being formed by the hat structure itself. By means of a tube leading from the orifice at the small end of the tapered portion the sound may be transmitted to the car while the hat remains upon the head. The tapered portion which constitutes the bellmouth or body of the ear-trumpet is formed in the brim, the lower portion thereof being left open to receive the sound-waves.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a hat embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan View of the same.

A is the hat-body, and B is the ordinary hat-band.

O is the bell or tapered part of the hat, which constitutes the ear-trumpet. This bell or tapered part communicates with the outside atmosphere through the aperture h in the side or crown of the hat-body.

E is a small outlet from the bell or tapered portion, and to it is connected a pipe or tube F, preferably of flexible material, which terminates slightly below the rim of the hat, so as to be inserted in the ear of the wearer. If desired, there may be one of these tubes F for each ear; but ordinarily one of such tubes will suffice. The tubes F may be detachable or capable of being pushed out of sight when not in use. The hell or tapered portion which constitutes the ear-trumpet 1s formed integral with the hat structure. The hat may be formed of sheet metal, paper, or other equivalent material and may be covered with felt or cloth. The bell or tapered passage-way O is formed in the brnn of the hat, with the front portion open to receive the sound-waves and the rear or contracted portion connected to a tube which may be led around to the ear of the wearer.

H represents the brim of the hat, wh1ch is made double, forming the compartments C, leading from the front around both sides to the rear, wherea tube F connects at the opening E. The front portions of these compartments are open, as at h, to receive the soundwaves, as indicated by the arrows.

While I prefer the minor details of construction which have been shown, I do not limit my invention to them, as it is apparent that they may be modified without departing from it.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an article of manufacture, a hat having a sound-receiving chamber formed in its brim and made to open to the atmosphere at one end and terminating at the other end in a tube leading to the ear of the wearer.

2. As an article of manufacture, a hat having a sound-receiving chamber of graduallyreduced area formed in its brim and made to open to the atmosphere at its larger end, ar ranged in the front of the hat and terminating at the other or smaller end at the rear of the hat in a tube leading to the ear of the wearer.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

WM. G. A. BONWILL.

IVitnesses:

GEO. W. REED, GEO. B. LAUER. 

